JB1: The Cold Hearted Father [BXB] [√]

40

"To whom mom?"

"His name is Martin. Dati namin itong driver at security guard. Masipag ito at scholar pa sa school ng pamilya ng dad niyo. Sikreto lang ang aming relasyon dahil masyadong mapang mataas ang lolo at lola niyo. We got married when I was in my second year of college ng mabuntis ako. Sikreto kaming nagpakasal noong lunch break namin." Mahina siyang tumawa at nilaro ang hawak-hawak na wine glass. "It was the most scary, exciting and happiest moment in my life. The thought of getting married and creating a family with someone you love is surreal. I felt like I was on cloud nine kahit na sobrang kaba ang nararamdaman ko habang nagpapakasal kami sa huwes. Kinagabihan nun ay nagtanan kami. I was willing to live a poor life basta kasama ko lang siya. Pumunta kami sa isang bundok somewhere in Cebu at nanirahan malapit sa kuta ng mga rebelde. It was risky but it was worth it. Pero nahuli kami ng lolo at lola mo noong kabuwanan ko. They brought us back here in Manila at dito ako nanganak sa...ate mo. Akala ko tanggap na kami ng parents ko kasi pinatira nila kami sa bahay and they even bought things for our baby. Pero akala ko lang pala 'yon lahat." Muli na namang naiyak si mama.

I was left frozen in my seat. I could not speak or think properly about my mom's confession.

"Your ate's name is Nathalie Marie, Nate. She's the most beautiful angel I have seen, kuhang-kuha nito ang magandang mata at labi ng ama niya." There was longing in my mom's eyes. "Palihim na inasikaso ng lolo Nathaniel mo ang pagpapawalang bisa ng kasal namin ni Martin. One night, I woke up seeing my husband with my daughter being shooed away from that hell. Itinaboy nila ang mag-ama ko na para bang mga langaw. Rinig na rinig ko kong paano nila minaliit ang asawa ko. Sinubukan kong sumama sa kanila pero nakatutok sa kanila ang maraming baril at espada. My dad is willing to kill my husband and my daughter. Pinili kong manatili nalang sa kanila kesa masaktan ang mag-ama ko."

I wiped my mom's tears. She looks so devastated. Nagpapasalamat ako na namatay na ang tatlong gurang na 'yon. My dad's father and my mother's parents are a bunch of power-hungry, control freaks. We had our fair share of shitty moments with them but I guess Jonas had quite a lot of bullshits from them. Iyon siguro ang dahilan ng ugali nito and I couldn't even imagine what we'd become if Jonas didn't step in and took the spotlight.

"After I had Jonas, tinulungan pa ako nila Allistain at Christian na makapunta sa mag-ama ko. I had a hard time getting back on their life but it was always worth it. But after a few months they nahanap nila ako. Nilason nila ang ate mo. Sinubukan kong humingi ng tulong sa dad mo at kay Christian pero iniipit din sila ng papa ni Allistain. I had no choice but to go home and kneel in front of them. Ipinagamot nila ang anak ko kapalit ng kalayaan ko. If being with my husband and daughter means death for them then I'd rather suffer forever. I betrayed Christian and Allistain. Muli akong nagpabuntis kay Allistain para pakasalan niya ako. Iyon ang kapalit ng buhay ng mag-ama ko. Almost 7 years have passed tumawag sa amin si Christian and he was asking for Allistain's help. My parents were threatened at muli nila akong tinakot sa kaligtasan ng mag-ama ko. I was pregnant with Francis that time. Tinakot ko ang ama mo na ipapalaglag ko si Francis kapag tinulungan niya si Christian. I was willing to die kapag namatay ang mag-ama ko." Mariin itong napapikit at hinilot ang kanyang noo.

"Ma, I think it's time for you to rest. Let's go, ihahatid kita sa kwarto mo. Bukas ko nalang sasabihin sa iyo." Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo ko at inalalayan ito sa pagtayo. I wrapped my suit around her at marahang inakbayan.

Bigla itong nagsalita habang pababa kami papunta sa kwarto niya.

"Malaki ang kasalanan ko kay Christian at Allistain. You don't have to worry too much about my feelings towards their meeting tomorrow, anak. They deserve to meet and catch up with each other." I stopped and kissed my mother's temple. My mom may sound selfish but I think she's just being a mother and wife to her first family.